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Step 1
Place bishops in the c1, f1, c8 and f8 positions on a chessboard. This is three spaces from the left and three spaces from the right on the bottom row of each opponent. Each player gets two bishops, one on a dark square and one on a light square. Therefore, bishops are referred to as dark-squared bishops and light-squared bishops.
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Step 2
Move a bishop diagonally. A bishop cannot move in any other fashion. Because of this the dark-squared bishop will never get off of the dark squares and the light-squared bishop will never get off of the light squares.
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Step 3
Advance a bishop an unlimited number of squares. There is no limit to how many squares a bishop can move at a time except it cannot jump over other pieces. Because it cannot jump over pieces the way a knight can, bishops have difficulty moving in the crowded early stages of a game. It is a good idea to keep at least 1 bishop around, preferably 2, until the end of the game when a clear board gives bishops lots of room to move.
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Step 4
Clear way for your bishop by moving pawns when you're down to one bishop. When you get down to one bishop, move your pawns away from the squares it can touch. This will open threat lines and limit your opponents movements.
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Step 5
Capture an opponent's piece with a bishop by moving it to the square of the piece you want to capture.
